What I’m Hearing from the District

Happy Easter to those who celebrate; happy Sunday to those who do not. I hope you are enjoying the weekend with family and friends. 

I am pleased to announce that I officially filed for office on April 2, 2026. I am on the ballot for the June Primary, seeking the Democratic nomination. 

As we celebrate new beginnings, here’s the reality for this campaign. There are 72 days until the primary on June 16. 72 days until District 4 votes on their candidate for the 2026 Midterm Election. And I am daily reminded that the people are ready for change, but there’s work to do. How much work? Well, there are 14 counties and nearly 800,000 people who live in this District. And here’s what I’m hearing: 

“Thank God.” “It’s about time!” “Finally.” This is what I hear when I tell people I am running to unseat Tom Cole in November. This means that there is an appetite for change.

When I am at events like the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk, and people walk past me with wandering eyes, most are hesitant. In fact, some try to avoid it, but when they hear two things, their moods change. The first, “I’m a Democrat,” the second, “let’s retire Tom Cole.” With just those two simple phrases, most people take the time to speak with me.

I have heard from so many of you that you feel alone, and I am here to tell you that there are more like-minded people in this District than you might expect. We are demanding change. I have personally knocked thousands of doors in this District, and volunteers have knocked many thousands more. We tend to report similar messages. People are shocked to learn how many Democrats and Independents there are, and even many of my Republican friends are fed up with what is going on in this country. 

My friends, hear me when I tell you that there’s an appetite for change. The problem is that people are not talking to each other. Let’s be clear, those in power want us to feel isolated and alone. They don’t want us to know that we have an entire community out there, but we must have these conversations with each other because when we start, that’s when we will see real change. When people come together, like the crowds at No Kings last weekend, it sends a message. We the People have had enough. 

Beyond the warnings, I get a mix of voters who have heard of the upcoming election, those who know both my opponent and me, some who know just me and vice versa, and some who haven’t heard of the upcoming election and/or candidates in the race at all. This tells us many things. One, both my opponent and I are making progress on the ground, and two, this campaign is reaching voters who haven’t been reached before. It also tells me that there is still more work to be done. So, let’s get to work. Together.

The momentum is there, and I don’t just feel it at the doors. I hear it in conversations I have with voters on the phone at every Sunday phone-banking session. Reaching voters over the phone is the quickest way we can connect and plant a seed. When I talk to people on the phone, I hear a few things most often. One, that President Trump has gone too far. Two, that ICE is out of control. Three, that people are embarrassed to be dead last in public education. Other themes include local road conditions, taxes, and affordability.

I am putting in the work; my team is putting in the work; my incredible volunteers are putting in the work. And we are building momentum. But momentum alone won’t win this race. Not enough voters know they have a choice on June 16. That is why the next 72 days are critical. Let’s get to work, fire up the voters, and set the stage for November. The faster we plant the seed, the better our chances are at unseating Tom Cole. I beg you to take the challenge now: will you knock 20 doors per week for my campaign to unseat Tom Cole?

There are 800,000 people in our District Four. It’s going to take all of us talking to neighbors, friends, and family. I need your help making the calls, knocking on doors, and showing up where it counts, again and again. I need your help keeping up to date with events in your community and organizing events, fundraisers, and town halls. Together, we can make a real difference in this Primary. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to step in, this is it. Volunteer. Make calls. Knock doors. Donate. What you can do to keep us moving forward counts. 

It’s time for new leadership, and it's time the voters in Oklahoma’s Congressional District Four know they have a choice on June 16. An opportunity to elect someone who understands the needs of everyday working families; Someone who understands you, because I am living life in the thick of it. Someone who also feels the pinch of rising grocery prices, is shocked at the gas pump, and is already living on razor-thin financial margins. A candidate whose oldest son was just kicked off the family health insurance plan for being too old and no longer a student. You have the opportunity to vote for a candidate whose children are also dealing with and receiving education post Ryan Walters.

Let’s make it happen. The November Midterms are right around the corner!